Edo, PDP conflict over claims of rising kidnappings, violence

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee and the state authorities are at odds over claims that Edo has turn out to be the “capital of kidnapping and violent crimes” in Nigeria.

In a press release on Monday, PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, alleged that the state has became a haven for criminals regardless of receiving N750 million month-to-month in safety allocations.

“Edo State is now a haven for kidnappers and different legal gangs, who function with impunity, making the most of the deteriorating safety state of affairs, as residents and enterprise house owners proceed to reside in fixed worry,” Nehikhare mentioned.

Nehikhare cited the latest 12-day abduction of Afenifere Youth Council Nationwide President, Prince Eniola Olajuni, in Ibilo, Akoko-Edo LGA, as proof that criminals are emboldened.

He additional claimed that at the least 22 folks have been killed in latest weeks, together with Batemue Philip Ebo, Christopher Bello, and Victor Ogedengbe, whereas properties price tens of millions have been destroyed.

Blaming the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, Nehikhare accused him of prioritizing “godfathers and thugs” over safety, crippling the state’s vigilante community, and leaving Edo in “a state of whole collapse.”

“Regardless of receiving N750 million month-to-month in safety votes—almost double what was out there to the earlier administration—Senator Okpebholo has left Edo in paralysis,” he added.

In response, Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Okpebholo, dismissed the PDP’s claims as “reckless, deceptive, and baseless.”

“Edo State will not be, and can by no means be, the so-called ‘capital of kidnapping and violent crimes’ as Nehikhare maliciously claims. It is a dishonest fabrication from a celebration whose time in energy was marked by gross incompetence and outright give up to criminals,” Itua mentioned.

He reminded the PDP that beneath its management, cult violence left over 100 folks useless, whereas the state’s PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, was kidnapped within the coronary heart of Benin.

“Governor Okpebholo’s safety vote is being prudently utilized for the safety of lives and property, not squandered like prior to now,” Itua said, itemizing key measures taken, together with deployment of particular tactical groups, crackdown on cultism, procurement of safety gear, 1,000 high-performance bikes for patrols and mop-up of unlawful arms

Based on Itua, safety in Edo is enhancing, and “reckless propaganda” won’t deter buyers.

“Edo is open for enterprise, safety is enhancing, and the federal government is totally dedicated to making a secure and affluent atmosphere for all,” he added.